Achieving physical sainthood starting from Hunyuan Gong

Chapter 88 The Great Perfection of the Primordial Undying Golden Body

Chapter 89 The Great Perfection of the Primordial Undying Golden Body

As a black-armored turtle, its lifespan seems a bit too long.

They must have been aware of their own existence for over two hundred years, right?

In the chaotic years when it was unaware of the difference between itself and others, it lived in the vast waters of Green Lake. It roamed the silent bottom of the lake, where Flying Dragon Mountain met Green Lake. It was a cool, quiet place where it had no worries about food.

Until one day, it was surprised to discover that drinking the living water from deep underground made it feel incredibly refreshed.

The water, carrying a strange heat, poured into its throat and flowed along its thick veins to every part of its body, causing a tingling, numb sensation, like countless tiny fish swimming under its skin. It craved this feeling and followed the water's flow to its source—a crevice deep within Flying Dragon Mountain.

From then on, it would go there every few days to drink its fill, and then return to the bottom of the lake to sleep soundly for months at a time.

Year after year, its size quietly increased, its carapace became thicker and thicker, turning from grayish-black to jet black, with a faint metallic sheen.

Its claws and teeth became sharp, and its strength was enough to overturn boulders at the bottom of the water. Its eyes also changed, from a murky yellow to a deep, dark emerald green, like two will-o'-the-wisps sinking to the bottom of the water.

At first, it didn't think there was anything wrong with it.

With increased strength, hunting became easier: its thicker shell deterred even the fiercest crocodiles in the lake. It had lived in these waters for countless years, without any natural enemies or rivals.

But later, it began to feel that something was wrong.

The flowing water gushing from the ground no longer just makes it "feel good." It makes it inexplicably restless at night, crashing its massive body against the underwater rock walls and uprooting patches of aquatic plants.

It began to develop a strong hostility toward all living things that approached its territory: schools of fish, water birds, the occasional passing fishing boat, and even the shadows of people passing by on the shore.

One day, it looked at its own reflection and was shocked to find that the bone-patterned ghost face reflected on the water was enormous, and a longing arose in its heart.

I long to, I really long to, taste the blood of humans!

A surge of vital energy was approaching at an alarming speed, and the bone-patterned demon mask of the Xuanjia turtle exuded a strong aura of ferocity.

The human body before it held a captivating flavor; it didn't know how satisfied it would be to devour this human.

Thinking of this, its gaping maw opened wide, and the bone-patterned demon face came to life, its brow bones bulging, cheekbones protruding, and corners of its mouth turning down, its entire face twisted into a hideous expression that was neither a smile nor a cry. It wasn't something it deliberately made; rather, it was the natural contraction of its muscles and bones under extreme excitement, which allowed the bone tumors, scales, and scars to perfectly piece together the face of a demon.

A deep rumble emanated from the depths of its throat, like muffled thunder from the earth.

Water splashed.

The massive body of the Black-armored Turtle leaped from the water, like a black hill pressing down from the sky. Moss and seaweed on its carapace trailed a long tail in the water, its four legs spread out, and its claws and teeth reflected a cold light in the sunlight.

It intends to swallow this person whole, along with the raft beneath his feet.

The enormous mouth was wide open, the angle between the upper and lower jaws exceeding human imagination. There was no tongue inside, only a ring of sharp, spiraling teeth, layer upon layer from the outside in, with the deepest part of the gums still wriggling, as if another mouth was waiting for its prey to be delivered.

On the shore, Yue Zhong and the others watched this nerve-wracking scene with their blood boiling and hearts pounding.

As the gaping maw was about to swallow the people and the raft whole, everyone present felt their hearts leap into their throats.

Compared to this tiny raft, it's like a drop in the ocean. This giant's size is terrifying. Its bare back is covered with black, cold barbs that cannot be penetrated by any spear or fishbone. Even its face is covered with bone patterns, as hard as a giant rock made of steel.

How can this man in blue fight against such a monster?

The next moment, a blade of light slashed through the air in everyone's sight.

A foul stench filled the air.

Song Shenning stood on the raft, looking up at the colossal creature that blotted out the sky, her eyes as calm as a stagnant pool.

Retreat? That's impossible.

He placed his large hand on the hilt of the sword, feeling the pulse of the long sword in its sheath.

The raft rocked violently in the waves created by the giant turtle leaping up, but Song Shen's feet seemed nailed to the raft, remaining completely still.

The bony surface suddenly swooped down, revealing rings of sharp teeth that opened layer by layer from the outside in.

Suddenly, a sonic boom resounded with the force of a hurricane and thunder. Song Shen, sword and all, lunged at the gaping maw. With a single strike, the densely packed teeth shattered and scattered.

Awooo!!!

Amidst screams, blood splattered.

A shocking knife mark appeared on the enormous, bone-patterned demon face.

The masked, armored turtle suddenly leaped into the water, creating towering waves.

A thick, long tail swept across the sky, accompanied by a terrifyingly loud sound.

The sound of wind and thunder rose again, and in the cold light, its tail broke off and flew horizontally.

Song Shen's slash was so fast that it was invisible and formless, and the clean cut, including the skin and bones, severed the huge tail that was enough to smash granite to pieces on the spot.

Force is mutual.

Song Shen was also thrown out.

Suspended in mid-air, with nowhere to gain leverage.

Seizing the opportunity, the skull-patterned, demon-faced, armored turtle sprang up again, ignoring all the pain.

Right now, all it wants is to devour the flesh and blood of the human before it.

With its dense array of teeth and broken marks, it pounced down again.

"Good timing!!"

A resounding sword cry pierced the sky, and the combined sword energy unleashed an arc in the air powerful enough to cleave anything in two.

The blood-stained sharp teeth shattered and flew through the air once again.

Song Shen flew backwards onto the large ship, looking down at the broad back armor exposed on the lake surface, and shot out a barrage of bone nails, which came through the air like a torrential rain.

"What a monster!"

As Song Shen raised his hand, countless cold lights burst forth, weaving a wall of bronze and iron with the light of his blade.

The bone nail turned to dust in mid-air.

Song Shen rose from the ground and descended from the sky. As he swung his long sword, a scorching heat wave burst forth in the air, and tiny arcs of electricity flickered in and out of sight. Swept up by the storm, the arc drew a huge wave in the air, rapidly spreading and rippled.

Secret Technique: Wind and Thunder Slash!

The enormous head was severed diagonally, and half of it fell into the lake, splashing up bloody water.

Awooo!!!

The sound waves of the screams spread outwards in visible waves.

"That beast is going to hide somewhere else!"

The people on the island gasped in surprise.

This monster's vitality was beyond everyone's imagination; even with half its head cut off at an angle, it was still alive.

The monster shrank its mutilated head, revealing its black carapace, and began to slowly descend.

This scene is truly despairing.

Even if you have all the skills, you are helpless against a giant that has only revealed its carapace.

What kind of swordsmanship in the world could directly cut through this kind of carapace?

Only a master with innate, pure and refined true qi could break through such armor.

However, Song Shen's response was still a sharp rebuke.

This time, tiny arcs of electricity and sparks began to surge and converge on the blade. At the moment of condensation, they instantly transformed into a bright light that flashed like sparks, tracing an arc as it cut vertically downwards, leaving a scorching afterimage in the air.

Secret Technique: Heavenly Wind Burning Thunder Blade!

The wind fanned the flames, the fire borrowed the wind's power, and thunder roared from the wind and fire. The three sword techniques merged into one at this moment, transforming into Song Shen's strongest strike to date.

The blade's edge pierced the armor of the Xuanjia turtle.

There was no loud noise, no sparks. The thin line silently sliced ​​through the black armor that even a master of innate cultivation would frown upon, like a hot knife cutting through butter, like water flowing through fingers.

The Xuanjia turtle's body froze.

Its descent came to an abrupt halt. The enormous, centuries-old body hovered in the water for a moment. Then, a line of blood appeared in the center of its carapace, running from the base of its neck to the edge of its tail.

The bloodline is getting wider and deeper.

Crimson blood gushed from the crack, staining the entire lake surface red. The Xuanjia turtle's body began to tilt, its carapace slowly sliding to the sides—no, not sliding, but being cleaved in two from the center by that single strike.

The two enormous bodies sank to the bottom of the water, creating two blood-red walls of water.

The hundreds of people on the island remained silent.

No one spoke, no one cheered.

They just stared blankly at the figure in blue standing at the bow of the boat, watching him slowly sheath his long sword, watching him calmly shake the water off his hands in the rain of blood.

[Obtained the Essence Dao Fruit: Bone-Patterned Ghost-Faced Mystic Armor Turtle (April of the 27th year)]

Song Shen glanced down at the panel, a slight smile playing on his lips.

"Demons are still more cost-effective—"

The man in blue landed on the raft with lightning speed, yet as lightly as a feather.

In the blink of an eye, they had already sped towards the island.

Yue Zhong strode forward.

"Thank you so much for saving me, hero!"

Song Shen smiled and said, "Has Chief Yue forgotten me?"

This familiar voice terrified Yue Zhong.

"It's you—" Yue Zhongli was immediately drenched in sweat. The person in front of him was Song Shen, whom he had previously opposed.

"Song—Qingyi, are you already a member of the Demon Suppression Division?"

Hundreds of gang members drew their knives in shock and retreated in unison, a sense of fear spreading rapidly like a plague.

Song Shen of the Cao family was their enemy before. This blue robe, inlaid with cloud patterns and plants, is the Grass and Wood Blue Robe Exorcist of the Demon Suppression Division.

"Did you rescue and transport these people here?"

Song Shen gazed at the group of people tormented by exhaustion, fear, and hunger.

Yue Zhong smiled wryly and said, "It's me."

"How could Chief Yue be so kind-hearted?"

Yue Zhong said softly, "Not really. The fishermen and people nearby are like family to my gang. Abandoning them would be tantamount to betraying my Sand Boat Gang."

"That's reasonable. You can leave now."

Song Shen nodded.

The men who drew their weapons were drenched in sweat, as if a heavy thorn had been pulled from their backs in an instant.

In truth, what difference does it make whether the weapon in one's hand is nonexistent in front of this young man?

If the enemy wants to kill them, who can withstand this long sword that even tortoise shells cannot withstand?

"Thank you so much, Lord Song." Yue Zhong swallowed hard, trying to stand up, but found that his knee joints felt like mud, completely limp.

"Chief Yue," Song Shen spoke again.

"Please speak, Lord Song." Yue Zhong lowered his head even further.

"I haven't forgotten what happened before."

Yue Zhong's body stiffened.

"But I've remembered what happened today." Song Shen's gaze passed over him and landed on the people. "If you can safely deliver these villagers and give them food and a place to live, I can pretend that what happened before never happened."

Yue Zhong suddenly raised his head, a glint of disbelief flashing in his eyes. But quickly, he lowered his head again, bowing respectfully: "Lord Song is so kind! I, Yue, will certainly ensure the safe arrival of my fellow villagers, and I would not dare to cause the slightest mishap!"

Song Shen stopped looking at him and turned to walk towards the raft.

"Lord Song!" Yue Zhong suddenly called out.

Song Shen stopped but did not turn around.

"That—that Xuanjia turtle's corpse—" Yue Zhong rubbed his hands together and chuckled awkwardly, "The carapace is a treasure, and the flesh is also a great tonic. It's a shame it's so heavy—"

Song Shen said calmly, "Go ahead and fish it out. Consider it payment for saving people."

Yue Zhong was overjoyed: "Thank you so much, Lord Song! Thank you so much, Lord Song!"

He turned and waved to his gang: "What are you all standing there for? Hurry! Go into the water and fish! Raise everything you can!"

The members of the Sand Boat Gang, as if waking from a dream, jumped into the water one after another. The island's inhabitants also began to stir; some knelt on the ground and kowtowed to Song Shen, while others held their children and wept uncontrollably. Song Shen ignored them, and slowly propelled the raft away from the shore.

After walking several dozen feet, Steward Chen poked his head out of the water and shouted to Yue Zhong on the island, "Chief! The turtle's head is still half-attached to the skin, not completely severed! It's still alive!"

Yue Zhong cursed, "If he's still alive, I'll finish him off! Do I need to teach you something like that?"

"No—Boss, this turtle's head—it looks like it's shrinking into the water, retracting into its cavity!"

Song Shen did not turn around.

The raft sliced ​​through the red-tinged water, heading deeper into the lake. Behind it, Baiqiong Island grew smaller and smaller, gradually disappearing into the mist.

Five days later.

Song Shen's figure left the lake and came to the shore.

Over the past two days, I've been exploring Green Lake with just a raft and a knife. There are no more lake monsters, and of course, there aren't many disaster victims left to save.

Song Shen waded ashore and came to a hillside.

After the rains subsided, Song Shen sat down in a house to rest for a while.

Five consecutive days of hard work brought exceptionally rich rewards. Song Shen slowly sat down and opened the panel.

[Essence Dao Fruit: Sixty-three years and nine months]

[Skill and Dao Fruition: Forty-two years and seven months]

[Primordial Undying Golden Body (Level 8, 25%)]

【Wind Chasing Blade Technique (65% chance of success)】

【Thunderous Blade Technique (63%+ chance of success)】

[Heavenly Fire Blade Technique (66% chance of success)]

【Prajna Vajra Palm (Limit Break - Spiral 5%)】

【Dragon-Surging Steps (Completed)】

【Military Way Killing Fist (Minor Success 3%)】

There was no one around, only the howling wind.

"Let's begin the simulation!"

To Song Shen's delight, the control panel never disappointed him; the moment his command was issued, a line of words appeared on his retina.

Fortunately, Song Shen had brought all the cultivation pills he could carry with him when he left home, and now they came in handy.

[Start Simulation]

[In the first year, you will completely unify the Qi and blood circulation pathways of Hunyuan Gong with the body-strengthening methods of the Golden Body. Qi and blood will no longer "flow" through the fascia, bones, and internal organs, but will "immerse" themselves in them. Every inch of your body will begin to resonate with Qi and blood, and there will no longer be a distinction between "inside" and "outside".]

[In the third year, you notice an extremely thin membrane beginning to form beneath your skin. It's not something you develop through training; it's a natural deposit resulting from the repeated cleansing and purification of your blood and energy. It's as thin as a cicada's wing, yet as resilient as a cow's tendon. You try slicing your arm with a knife; the blade bounces off the membrane, leaving not even a white mark on your skin.]

In the seventh year, the golden body's progress broke through the eighth level of minor completion, moving towards major completion. The bones emitted a clear, resonant sound in the dead of night, like bells and chimes, like jade chimes. It wasn't pain; it was the bones "singing"—they had shed the roughness of mortal bones, becoming like lustrous jade, warm and hard.

"Is it still undergoing a qualitative change?"

Song Shen was utterly astonished.

Is this body tempering process endless?

Logically speaking, the human body is similar to the universe, and where are the limits of the universe? The human body should be the same.

[In the thirteenth year, the fascia undergoes a complete transformation. You feel that your tendons are no longer just "tendons," but hundreds of steel wires twisted together. Each one can exert force independently, yet can also converge instantly. You try to extend your arm to an impossible angle without pain or stiffness; your joints feel as if they have been redesigned.]

[On a night in your nineteenth year, your heart suddenly stopped. Not because of an accident, but because it had finally completed its final transformation, changing from a "blood pump" to a "blood pump." It no longer contracted passively, but actively pumped blood and energy throughout your body. Each beat was like a heavy drumbeat, making your meridians hum. You relearned how to have a heartbeat, no longer controlled by your body's instincts.]

[In the twenty-fifth year, the internal organs completed their final refinement. The liver, spleen, lungs, kidneys, and heart resonated in unison, the five energies returning to their origin. You felt that your breathing was no longer "inhaling oxygen," but rather "swallowing and exhaling heaven and earth." With each breath, something indescribable seemed to seep into your body from the air. You knew that it wasn't true qi, but "vitality."]

In the thirty-first year, the blood began to undergo a qualitative change. The crimson-gold blood no longer resembled molten gold, but truly became a liquid metal. It was heavy, viscous, and scalding hot, emitting a faint rumble of thunder as it flowed through the meridians.

[In the forty-third year, you encountered a bottleneck. Not the limit of your physical body, but the limit of your acquired abilities. Your Primordial Undying Golden Body has been forged to the pinnacle that the acquired realm can bear; every further improvement requires the nourishment of innate true energy. This is not a problem with you, but a limitation of your realm. If your physical body wants to continue to grow stronger, you must first break through the innate realm. You no longer rely on brute force, but begin to "polish" yourself to ensure nothing is overlooked.]

In the forty-ninth year, you discovered a secret: the "perfection" of the golden body doesn't make the physical body stronger, but rather allows it to "return" to its innate state. The crimson-gold blood within your body begins to resonate with the earth's essence—not through absorption, but through "responsiveness." Your body no longer passively bears external pressure, but actively engages in dialogue with heaven and earth. You know that the door has opened.

[Fifty-seventh year. You stand in your consciousness, without exerting force or channeling your inner energy. The golden lines beneath your skin no longer appear, for the golden light has merged into your essence. You look like an ordinary person, but if you so desire, you can transform into a golden war god in an instant.]

[The Primordial Undying Golden Body (Perfect): The physical body returns to its innate state, the five elements unite as one, forming a seamless whole, with qi and blood flowing like a sea, endlessly regenerating. Only one step away from the innate state.]

Remaining essence and Dao fruit: 4 years and 9 months.

Song Shen opened his eyes.

In the secret room, the pale golden sheen flashed and disappeared beneath his skin, as if nothing had happened. He stood up, walked to the window, and opened it.

In the northern sky, dark clouds hung low, and flashes of lightning flickered.

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